One of my favorite travel guides ever., September 4, 2005

This is one of my favorite travel guides, ever, period. Even though this book is aimed at sailors, it has plenty of helpful information for land travelers too. Plus it has a lot of information I've never found in another travel guide. The best example is this. One beautiful night as we sat on our terrace enjoying the 180 degree view of the southern skies, I turned to my travel partner and said, "Did you print off those star charts so we can identify the southern cross?" His response. "Uh oh, I never got around to that."

The next day we looked all over the Island of Bequia for a star chart. We were laughed out of stores, some of which even catered to sailors. At one point I suggested maybe the Sailors Guide we have back at the villa will have a star chart. We agreed it was not likely but hot and tired, we decided to go back and see. We get back, look, and sure enough there it is - a star chart of the southern skies along with a date and time table for determining where everything should be and when. Oh my goodness. We had a chart all along. Thank you Sailors Guide!!

We used that star chart every night for the rest of the week and had a blast locating and identifying all the constellations we could see. It was fascinating watching the southern cross gradually rotate around the point in the sky where the south axis of the earth intersects with the southern sky. Ah, the pace of life on Bequia and the joy of a guide book that delivers way more than expected.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

Too many adverts, March 2, 2002

Doyle's info was very good and the color arial photos and mini charts are very usefull. The book is 9 inches by 6 inches and has 400 pages, however if you were to remove the advertizments and touristy photos you would probably end up with about 275 pages of usefull info.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

Rare combination of useful advice and humor, June 21, 2000

As a frequent user of cruising guides, I appreciate how rare is the combination of useful, detailed advice and a sense of humor. Chris Doyle does it here, and every traveler (or prospective traveler) to the Grenadines should get this guide. It's not just for sailors.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

A very readable, thorough and handy guide to the Windwards, September 13, 1998
Reviewer: A reader
This is one of the most well-organized and useful cruising guides I have ever read. It covers all the Windward Islands in great detail, starting in the north with Martinique and ending with Grenada. The introductory chapters cover some island basics, such as local lore, "bugs, beasts and plants," weather, customs and even a GPS table. Then each island is organized by its key areas, whether cities or towns, principal bays, and other geographical sites, usually beginning in the north of the island and proceeding south. It is oriented for the sailor, but each area includes a discussion of what you'll find ashore, too. Jam-packed with useful information, each section includes navigational aids, suggestions for anchoring, services, regulations and scuba facilities. The writing style is to the point, but interesting, without being too flambouyant. Beautiful color photographs, helpful illustrations and aerial photos contribute the usefulness and beauty of the book. I can't imagine crusing in the Windwards without it.

Barnes and Noble Reviews- Sailors Guide to the Windward Island

Best there is!, September 30, 2005

The Cruising Guide to the Leeward Islands is the single source material needed, other than maps, for those bareboating yachts in the Leewards. The information is up to date from where to dock to where to provision.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Useful sailing information, March 23, 2000

During our sailing trip from Martinique to Venezuela we used this book especially because of the detailed and useful information about small harbours and beautyful beaches. I can recommend it very strongly.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

    Doyle's Guide to Trinidad, Tobago and Barbados, September 8, 2003

In this guide for Trinidad, Tobago and Barbados, the combination of detailed charts as well as aerial photos with navigational overlays provides a clear picture of how to get in and out of every harbor safely. For each port there is a wealth of information on the nearest supplies and services for repairs and replacements of the zillion things that might go awry or get dropped overboard when living and traveling on a boat.

Doyle's affection for both the islanders and their environment is reflected in his enthusiastic descriptions of the many places and (and proprietors) to visit while on shore. In addition to details about how to get to and from grocery stores, restaurants, laundry facilities, etc., there are many descriptions of wonderful places to explore on foot or by dinghy. This is particularly helpful in these islands where one needs ideas on where to begin to see the amazing wealth of natural wildlife.

Best of all, the guide is well-written, easy to follow and fun to read.